Artifacts in Destiny: Rising might not be as flashy as Exotic Weapons or Mythic Summons, but they’re the backbone of your long-term power progression. And if you want to survive endgame bosses, push deeper into the different game modes, or squeeze every ounce of damage and survivability out of your build, you’ll need to master the Artifact system.
This Destiny: Rising Guide breaks down everything you need to know about Artifacts. From what Artifacts are, how to unlock them, the best ways to farm them, and how to use them effectively. Feel free to check out our Weapons Tier List and Guardian Tier List to help you pick what Guardians you should aim for. Go through our Beginners Guide and Reroll Guide, which are also available for a great start in Destiny: Rising. Also, check out our Redeem Codes article for freebies and the Customer Support guide, if you need any help
What are Artifacts in Destiny: Rising
At their core, Artifacts are equipable items that grant passive bonuses and unique effects. Also, each character has four Artifact slots, and each slot only accepts a specific pool of Artifacts. That means you can’t just throw your favorite piece on any slot; placement matters.
Here’s what makes Artifacts important:
- Set Effects: Each Artifact comes with a unique effect, like granting overshields, boosting weapon damage, or healing after casting abilities. These define how the Artifact synergizes with your character.
- Attributes: Randomized stat bonuses attached to the Artifact, such as Ability Strength, Overshield Bonus, or Defense. High-tier Artifacts roll more Attributes, which is why farming better ones is so addictive.
- Power and Gear Level: Each Artifact contributes to your overall Power, with higher Gear Levels boosting its stats.
- Tiers and Gilding: The more total Attribute Points you stack, the higher your Artifact Tier becomes. Higher Tiers strengthen your effects and unlock survivability buffs.
Also, some Artifacts have element restrictions, meaning you can only equip them on characters of the matching element. Others may not be compatible with certain weapon archetypes, so always check the info panel before grinding for a specific piece.
How to unlock Artifacts in Destiny: Rising
You won’t have access to Artifacts right away. To unlock them:
- Progress the Campaign: Artifacts unlock during Chapter 2-1, once you complete your first run of Singularity: Order in the Realm of the IX.
- Access the Character Screen: After unlocking the system, the Character screen will show your four Artifact slots. This is where you’ll start slotting in new pieces.
At first, you’ll only have access to lower-tier Artifacts, but as you push further through the game’s activities, the system really opens up with Legendary, Mythic, and eventually Exotic Artifacts.
How to get Artifacts in Destiny: Rising
Artifacts are tied almost entirely to Realm of the IX activities, but the grind has layers. Here’s a breakdown of every way to farm them:
1. Singularity: Order
Singularity Order is a challenge mode that lets you take on an endless number of stages, facing off against different kinds of enemies. Here you can gain Artifacts by completing the Nine’s challenges and gaining rewards, Choice Engrams, which let you select from a pool of Artifacts.
2. Singularity: Chaos
This is another challenge mode where players can get Artifacts by completing the challenge stages. In this challenge, Light bearers are granted a random Essence of Chaos effect, but it comes with a trade-off. Completing the challenges rewards you with a Random Mythic or Exotic Artifact.
3. The Expanse
The Expanse is a weekly endgame activity with as many as 20 stages. And every completed stage drops a select reward ranging from Lumina Leaves, Artifactual Dust, which are used to raise an Artifact’s Gear level, and other upgrade materials. Also, clearing Stage 20 grants a chest containing an Exotic Artifact, making this the best consistent Exotic source.
4. Institute Bundles and Miscellaneous Sources
You can also buy Artifacts through the store in the game using Glimmer. All you have to do is head to the in-game store, click the exchange menu, and scroll down to Artifacts. Here, you can buy the bundle you want using Glimmer.
How to Equip Artifacts in Destiny: Rising
Equipping Artifacts in Destiny: Rising is a straightforward process, but the slot system means you’ll need to pay attention to compatibility. Each character has multiple Artifact slots that unlock as you progress, and every slot is tied to a specific Artifact pool. This means not every Artifact can fit into every slot, so always double-check before farming or upgrading a piece.
To equip an Artifact, open your character menu, navigate to the Artifact tab, and select the slot you want to fill. From there, you’ll see a list of all available Artifacts that are compatible with that slot. So simply highlight your choice and confirm to equip it. If an Artifact is locked to a certain element, it will only show up for characters of that element, so don’t be surprised if some pieces seem to be “missing” for others.
How to utilise your Artifacts in Destiny: Rising
1. Equip Artifacts Strategically
Each Artifact slot in Destiny: Rising is tied to its own specific pool of items, meaning you can’t simply equip your favorite Artifact in any slot. For example, Inverted Fury can only fit into Slot 3, so farming the correct slot becomes essential. Because of this, you’ll want to double-check compatibility before committing time to grind a piece.
Beyond the slot restrictions, it’s important to prioritize Set Effects that naturally synergize with your character’s kit. Wolf, for instance, benefits greatly from Nimble Veil, which reduces incoming damage right after he uses a movement ability, perfect for his fast-paced Wolf’s Strike combos.
On the other hand, healers gain a huge advantage from the Talisman of Luxuriance, which provides overshields to allies they restore, giving them a defensive edge in tougher encounters. Equipping strategically ensures your Artifacts feel like an extension of your playstyle rather than just stat sticks.
2. Chase Attributes that Matter
When you’re first starting, don’t get caught up chasing perfect Artifact rolls. In the early game, it’s enough to equip anything that boosts survivability or damage, as even basic stat bumps can make a difference. However, as you progress and unlock more powerful Artifacts, the Attributes you prioritize should align directly with your build.
Characters who rely heavily on abilities benefit from stats like Ability Strength or Signature Boost, while weapon-focused damage dealers thrive on Precision Damage and faster Reload Speed. Tanks and supports lean more on defensive bonuses such as Overshield Bonus, Healing Potency, and raw Defense. Over time, these Attribute choices will shape your overall effectiveness in combat and allow you to specialize your characters for specific team roles.
3. Upgrade Artifacts and unlock the Gilding System
Upgrading Artifacts is one of the most reliable ways to boost your character’s stats and overall power. Each level you add enhances Attribute values, making your chosen effects stronger. Once you complete the campaign, you’ll also unlock the Gilding system, which gives your Guardians passive boosts to survivability stats such as health, shields, and defense.
These bonuses become critical in endgame content, where enemies hit much harder and small defensive improvements can make the difference between surviving a boss mechanic or wiping. As your Artifacts grow in power, their Set Effects also scale, meaning higher-tier Artifacts not only roll with better stats but also grant stronger bonuses. So if you want to keep up with rising difficulty, upgrading and gilding your Artifacts is non-negotiable.
Read our other guides:
- Destiny: Rising Best Settings and Sensitivity Guide
- How to level up quickly in Destiny: Rising
- Destiny: Rising Weapon Tier List
- Destiny: Rising Reroll Guide and Tips
That’s all for our Destiny: Rising Artifact Guide! Did you find our Destiny: Rising Artifact Guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
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